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SOFNAM - Muster - The Members' Magazine of the National Army Museum

Wellington's way would become the model for the British command system until the end of the Crimean War. The author's success in explaining how this came to be makes for an important book for all enthusiasts of the Napoleonic Wars.

Military History Quarterly, Spring 2020 – reviewed by Thomas Zacharis

As featured in

Australian Army Journal

It is rare that a book comes out that covers well-trodden ground that has so many new and worthwhile insights. Mr. Jaycock has achieved this very rare coup with his book on the Duke of Wellington.

The Napoleonic Historical Society Newsletter

The author has challenged some of the myths and legends of Wellington and the uncritical accounts that have been published. The choice of Wellington to command was not overwhelmingly supported by Horseguards, but his victories placed him in a category of his own during the Napoleonic Wars – Highly Recommended.

Read the full review here

Firetrench

It's a fine book, a history writer's book, if I may make so bold, and very readable, which means that it's a most enjoyable essay on one of the more colourful of Britain's military leaders.

Books Monthly

Featured 'ON THE BOOK SHELF' by Neil Smith

Wargames Illustrated, October 2019

This is a very welcome addition to the debate on Wellington and as such it sets out to be critical, which is no bad thing to question the hagiology that has traditionally been the standard. Clearly Wellington’s leadership style would not be recognised in any modern context of mission command expecting reports to show initiative within a clear objective. The author produces sources and narrative that place Wellington as a retentive character determined to leverage all aspects of command through micro management. Of course it may be that Wellington considered his Corps and Divisional commanders to be incapable of independent thought that would conform to his expectations; hence requiring absolute adherence to his field orders and arguably to the detriment of the opportunities arising on the battlefield. The book is a fascinating read and deserves its place on the shelf with the other books on the great man. Recommended.

Michael McCarthy. Battlefield Guide

Michael McCarthy